Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network statement on the situation in the Rakhine State of Myanmar
The root cause of the problems in Rakhine State is unabated and systematic discrimination suffered by the Rohingya at the hands of government authorities, including severe restrictions on movement, employment, right to marriage, and right to a family which are linked to the Citizenship Law of 1982 that rendered them stateless.
The Myanmar government has responded to the violence by imposing a state of emergency, but there have been worrisome reports that local authorities in Maungdaw and other areas may not be applying the restrictions of the state of emergency equally, with the result of further targeting and persecuting an extremely vulnerable religious and ethnic minority.
There are also reports that the Bangladesh government has increased security on its border with Myanmar, and closed parts of the frontiers, thereby preventing people from fleeing the violence in Rakhine state.
The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) calls on:
The Government of Myanmar to,
Protect equally all people living in Rakhine State.
Initiate an independent investigation into the human rights abuses and bring the perpetrators to justice, including their trial in an independent and fair court of law.
Permit access to international monitors based in Myanmar, such as representatives of the UN Country team, and Yangon-based diplomats and the media, to assess the situation and make recommendations for further action.
Amend the 1982 Citizenship Law to accommodate the Rohingya as an ethnic group of Myanmar and guarantee that they are not excluded in the forthcoming 2014 national census.
Ensure freedom of movement, employment, right to marriage and right to a family that are now denied to the Rohingya, and also ensure that local authorities and military/police commanders cease atrocities like forced labor against the Rohingya.
The government of Bangladesh to,
Immediately open its borders, for humanitarian reasons, to allow people to escape from the violence and to provide them with basic assistance until they can return to their homes in Myanmar in safety.
The international community to,
Take appropriate measure to pressure the Myanmar government to halt the ongoing violence in Rakhine State, while also recognizing the Rohingya as legitimate citizens of Myanmar, enjoying equal protection of the state.
Encourage UNHCR and other international NGOs to maintain their presence in Rakhine State during this state of emergency.
Offer both strong support and vigorous pressure to the Bangladesh Government so that it will open its borders to refugees.
Endorsers as of 14/6/2012
ANCORW Cooperative Ltd Australia
Centre of Refugee Research Australia
Motra Hayward Australia
Refugee Council of Australia Australia
Tyrell Haberkorn Australia/US
Altsean-Burma Burma
Cambodian Volunteers for Society (CVS) Cambodia
Monireth Cambodia
University of Cambodia Cambodia
Egyptian Foundation for Refugee Rights Egypt
Development and Justice Initiative India
Loyola College India
Socio Legal Information Centre. India
LBH Jakarta Indonesia
Health Equity Initiatives Malaysia
Vivienne Chew Malaysia
Cassandra Pillay Malaysia
Pak Leh Malaysia
Lawyers For Liberty Malaysia
SEACeM Malaysia
Tenaganita Malaysia
The National Human Rights Society (HAKAM), Malaysia Malaysia
Myanmar Youth Knowledge Initiative Myanmar
SalusWorld Myanmar
Scholar Research and Development Journal Myanmar
Wimutti Volunteer Group and Political Prisoners’
Families Beneficial Network Myanmar
INHURED International Nepal
PPR Nepal Nepal
New Zealand National Refugee Network New Zealand
PIHRO Pakistan
Jose Maria Dimaandal Philippines
The Arakan Project Regional
Korean Public Interest Lawyers Group GONG-GAM Republic of Korea
Alistair D. B. Cook Singapore
The National Council of YMCAs of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
Taiwan Association for Human Rights Taiwan
ForDIA Tanzania
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development Thailand
Chin Human Rights Organization Thailand
COERR of Caritas Thailand Thailand
Human Security Alliance Thailand
Sara Baumann Thailand
Jesuit Refugee Service Asia Pacific Thailand
Thai Committee for Refugees Foundation (TCR) Thailand
Asylum Access Thailand Thailand
AMIT KUMAR SINGH Thailand
Fahamu Refugee Programme UK
The Equal Rights Trust UK
Nicola Tannenbaum USA
University of Southern California USA
The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network(APRRN)is an open and growing network of over 116 civil society groups and individuals from 18countries committed to advancing the rights of refugees in the Asia Pacific Region.
